Mangrove tunnel in Laguna de La Restinga National Park Photo: Wilfredor / Wikimedia Commons · CC0
The boat tour through La Restinga Lagoon is the most beautiful excursion on Margarita Island: a wooden boat takes you for nearly an hour through channels and mangrove tunnels, past pelicans, herons and oysters clinging to the roots, to a very long beach where you can swim and eat fried fish. It is about 45 minutes by car from Pampatar, and it works for children and grandparents alike.
As someone who grew up on Margarita, La Restinga is one of the places I always recommend to first-time visitors. It has something the famous beaches don't: silence. The boat slows down as it enters the mangroves, the light turns green and all you hear is birds and water. It's the most natural side of Margarita, the one you won't find in hotel brochures.
Here is everything you need to plan it yourself: how to get there, how the boats work, what you'll see and my tips.
What is La Restinga?
La Restinga has been a national park since 1974 and is one of Venezuela's most important natural areas. It covers about 188 km² between eastern Margarita and the Macanao Peninsula, and at its heart is a shallow saltwater lagoon surrounded by mangroves.
The lagoon is separated from the sea by a sandbar more than 20 kilometres long, which is what joins the two halves of the island. That sandbar is La Restinga beach, where the boat drops you off.
How to get to La Restinga
The park's boat dock is on the road from Porlamar towards Punta de Piedras and Macanao, in the Tubores municipality. It is well signposted.
- By car from Pampatar: about 45 minutes. This is the easiest option, and there is parking next to the dock.
- By taxi: agree on the round-trip price before you set off, and on the time you'll be picked up.
- By public transport: "por puesto" shared minibuses run from Porlamar towards Punta de Piedras. Cheaper, but slower.
If you are spending the day, you can combine it with Macanao. More on that below.
How the boat tour works
- At the dock you buy the tour. Local boatmen run the boats in turns.
- You pay per boat, not per person. Each boat takes a small group, usually 6 to 8 people. If you are only two or three, you can share with another family and split the price.
- The ride out takes about 45 minutes to an hour through the channels and mangrove tunnels.
- The boat drops you at the beach, where you can stay as long as you like.
- To come back, agree on a return time with your boatman or take the next available boat.
The boatmen set the price and it changes over time, so ask at the ticket booth before you board. Bring cash in small bills.
What you'll see
Mangrove tunnels
The highlight is the green tunnels: channels so narrow that the mangrove branches close over the boat. Three types of mangrove grow in the lagoon: red, black and white. The channels have romantic names on wooden signs, and your boatman will point them out.
Birds
La Restinga is a paradise for birdwatching: pelicans, herons, cormorants, frigatebirds and, with luck, scarlet ibis and flamingos. Early morning is best.
Oysters and marine life
The mangrove roots below the waterline are covered in oysters, and in the clear water you'll see small fish and sometimes starfish. The lagoon is shallow, with a muddy bottom.
La Restinga beach
The boat ends at the sandbar, a huge beach of sand and shells facing the open sea. On the shore there are simple shacks serving fried fish with tostones and salad, and vendors selling fresh oysters with lime. It's a good place to swim, eat and rest before heading back.
What to bring
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. There is no shade on the boat.
- Water for the trip.
- Cash for the boat, food and oysters.
- Swimsuit and towel. The apartment has beach towels.
- A waterproof phone pouch, in case of splashes.
- Insect repellent if you go late in the afternoon.
Tips to enjoy it more
- Go in the morning. It's cooler, there are more birds and fewer people. Boats run during the day and stop leaving in the late afternoon.
- Avoid public holidays and high season (December, Carnival, Easter week and August), when you may have to wait your turn.
- Ask the boatman to go slowly through the tunnels so you can see the roots and birds.
- With children, it's a perfect outing: both the lagoon and the beach are calm.
- Don't touch or break the mangroves. It is a protected national park.
When to go
You can visit all year round, but a few details make a big difference:
- In the morning the light in the mangroves is beautiful, it's cooler and there are more birds.
- On weekdays there are far fewer people waiting for a boat than at weekends.
- Outside high season (avoid December, Carnival, Easter week and August if you can) the tour is much calmer.
- With a calm sea the arrival at the beach is more pleasant. When it's very windy, the last stretch can get a little bumpy.
La Restinga with children and older travellers
It's one of the easiest family outings on Margarita. The lagoon is calm and shallow, the ride is short and the beach has gentle water. Children love spotting crabs on the roots, looking for starfish and counting pelicans. For older travellers, all it takes is a little help getting on and off the boat.
Tips for great photos
- In the tunnels the light is low: hold your phone steady and ask the boatman to stop for a moment.
- Mangrove roots reflected in the still water make beautiful photos, especially in the morning.
- At the beach, the sandbar with the open sea on one side and the lagoon on the other is a very special sight.
How to combine La Restinga in one day
La Restinga sits at the entrance to the Macanao Peninsula, the wildest part of Margarita. A good plan:
- Morning: La Restinga boat tour and a swim at the beach.
- Midday: fish lunch at La Restinga beach or in Punta Arenas.
- Afternoon: the beach at Punta Arenas, at the tip of Macanao, where the sea is very calm.
- Sunset: watch the sun go down facing west before driving back to Pampatar.
For the rest of the island's beaches, see our guide to the best beaches on Margarita Island.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the La Restinga boat tour?
The ride out through the mangroves takes 45 minutes to an hour. Then you can stay at the beach as long as you like before taking the boat back.
How much does the boat cost at La Restinga?
You pay per boat, not per person, and each boat takes a group of about 6 to 8 people. The boatmen set the price and it changes, so ask at the dock's ticket booth and bring cash.
How do you get to La Restinga from Pampatar?
By car it takes about 45 minutes along the road towards Punta de Piedras and Macanao. The dock is signposted and has parking.
Can you visit La Restinga with children?
Yes. The lagoon is calm, the ride is short and the beach has gentle water. Bring sun protection, as there is no shade on the boat.
What is the best time to visit La Restinga?
Early in the morning: it's cooler, there are more birds and fewer people waiting for the boats.
Beachfront apartment with pool and free parking. ★ 5.0 on Airbnb.
